It seemed like a good idea at the time...

[maddeninghatter]

Date & Time: 2698, fin-de-millenium, just prior to the formation of the United Earth
Location: Las Vegas
Characters: Break, Kevin, Gilbert, Oz, Elliot, Alice, Allen, Lenalee, Rosette, Chrono, Chrysos
Summary: Fear and loathing
Warnings: Showgirls and Gilbert weeping.

The statement “Let’s go to Vegas” exists as the multiverse’s quintessential definition of, “well it seemed like a good idea at the time.” Even in this case, it really had, between zombies, insurrection, and the day to day tedium of life on the moon. Besides which, Xerxes Break has a new sentient (sentient-er) weapon, which in a stunning show of good judgement is too dangerous to test on the moonbase, nor in any concentration of people. Las Vegas, set against the backdrop of the vast, desolate Mojave desert, seemed to be a perfect choice.

When our heroes wink into existence, squinting against the early-morning desert sunshine, they’ll find themselves duly welcomed. Come play in the casino. When you feel a bit peckish, indulge in all you can eat. Take your winnings and go shopping; at night, take in a show. And if you’ve done really well gambling, unwind in a ridiculously luxurious suite.

…or is this how you’re spending the night?

Thirty-six hours in Vegas, what could possibly go wrong?

(ooc: feel free to start threads willy-nilly, name your time and place, threadjack and mingle)

Comments

[velveteened]

( WELL THAT'S GOOD, makes him braver in asking )

Contractors. What happens to them in your world, in the end?

[overclocking]

[ He doesn't respond for a long moment—long enough that it might seem as if no answer is forthcoming—when something in his expression seems to slam shut, going oddly blank. ]

They die.

[velveteened]

( he notices that — of course, chrono must've had other contractors before rosette, must be dreading this for rosette, and it makes him hesitate before continuing. )

That's it?

( still horrible, but a quiet death seems less... )

[overclocking]

[ Even through the fog in his mind, Chrono manages something like quiet, disbelieving anger. That Mary's death and Rosette's suffering might be reduced to two insignificant words like that. ]

"That's it"?

Their souls are destroyed slowly and painfully. Yes. That's it.

[velveteened]

— sorry.

( it was a thoughtless way to ask, and an insensitive thing to in the first place. )

I was wondering if there was...

( anything else. but never mind that; he moves to stand. )

If we stay here too long, the others will probably come looking.

( if there's anyone sober left, anyway )

[overclocking]

[ He's jolted from his anger as quickly as it came, blinking up as Oz stands. ]

What time is it...?

[ Moves to follow and- has to catch himself on the wall behind him. WOW GROUND OK YOU JUST GO WHEREVER YOU WANT. ]

[velveteened]

Late.

( he doesn't actually know, and heaven forbid he say a time that chrono thinks isn't too late at all. )

We should hurry.

[overclocking]

[ Steadies himself and manages to get feet functioning properly once more, glancing around in vain. He has no idea where they are. ]

Lead the way.

[velveteened]

( luckily, oz does know where they are and more or less the way back — the tall, flashy buildings with clearly designated names help too — and so he leads the way without hesitation. )

[overclocking]

[ Chrono follows along slowly but steadily, occasionally bumping shoulders with passerby, but otherwise silent as they make their way back to the hotel and up to their rooms. ]

[velveteened]

( oz pauses when they reach chrono's, expectantly.

did he take a room key with him.... )

[overclocking]

[ Chrono looks back at Oz, just as expectantly. ]

What...? [ Key??????? ]

[velveteened]

Do you have your key?

( he's not optimistic here )

[overclocking]

[ He digs through one pocket, slowly... the the other pocket...

... ]

No?

[velveteened]

( s-sigh.

okay, moving along a couple of doors to oz's room, then, to which he unlocks the door. he leaves the door open for chrono because he personally has got some shirt-replacing to do. )

[overclocking]

[ Chrono trails after him absently, still fishing in his pockets. Murmuring under his breath all the while. ]

But if I don't have it, and Rosette doesn't have it because she lost it for sure, then...

[velveteened]

( while chrono has his keys crisis, oz is pulling a shirt gotten from someplace or other that gil conveniently hung up in the closet for him. if chrono's distracted enough he's just going to slip into the bathroom and CHANGE IN PEACE. )

[overclocking]

[ If Oz is granted only one mercy today, it's that he does indeed get to change his shirt in peace.

Whenever he returns, Chrono has commandeered one of the lavishly (absurdly) upholstered chairs, pinching the bridge of his nose. It's probably obvious that he's hit the stage of drunkenness where he really just doesn't want to be drunk anymore. ]

[velveteened]

( it's with a relieved exhale that he exits the bathroom, leaving the ruined shirt abandoned; this one's more of a t-shirt for the weather, with no buttons to worry over. )

How are you feeling?

( don't you fucking say 'nauseous' while sitting in his chair in his room )

[overclocking]

[ you'll make a kind and nurturing mother one day oz ]

Like the alcohol in Las Vegas is completely different from the alcohol in Arizona . . .

[velveteened]

Is Arizona one of the states you're banned from?

( JUST WONDERING. he approaches, perches in a nearby chair that he angles towards chrono. )

[overclocking]

Yes. -No? ... Yes...

I was never allowed there in the first place? [ EVERYWHERE IS ILLEGAL #demonlife ] People just never think to look up.

I don't think Rosette is banned from anywhere on the West coast yet though...

[velveteened]

( CHRONO YOU'RE RAMBLING INCOHERENTLY )

Maybe this is the place to start!

[overclocking]

[ IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE FUCK YOU ]

... Can you be banned from the future?

[velveteened]

Anything's possible!